Sclerocyte
Encyclopedia
Sclerocytes are spicule
secreting cells, found in sponges. They secrete calcareous or siliceous spicules which are found in the mesohyl
layer of sponges. The sclerocytes produce spicules via formation of a cellular triad. The triad of cells then undergo mitosis
, creating six sclerocytes. In pairs, the sclerocytes secrete the minerals which create the spicules.
Spicule
Spicules are tiny spike-like structures of diverse origin and function found in many organisms, such as the copulatory spicules of certain nematodes or the grains on the skin of some frogs.In sponges, spicules perform a structural function....
secreting cells, found in sponges. They secrete calcareous or siliceous spicules which are found in the mesohyl
Mesohyl
The mesohyl, formerly known as mesenchyme, is the gelatinous matrix within a sponge. It fills the space between the external pinacoderm and the internal choanoderm...
layer of sponges. The sclerocytes produce spicules via formation of a cellular triad. The triad of cells then undergo mitosis
Mitosis
Mitosis is the process by which a eukaryotic cell separates the chromosomes in its cell nucleus into two identical sets, in two separate nuclei. It is generally followed immediately by cytokinesis, which divides the nuclei, cytoplasm, organelles and cell membrane into two cells containing roughly...
, creating six sclerocytes. In pairs, the sclerocytes secrete the minerals which create the spicules.
- http://acd.ufrj.br/labpor/4-Bibliografia/Pdfs/Imsiecke95a.pdf